For decades, Stony Brook has been a leading institution in online education. Students
from around the globe learn new knowledge and gain in-demand skills from our world-class
faculty—helping them improve their live and create a better world.
Online learning brings the classroom to you, in your unique setting, with flexible
courses that work around your schedule, day or night.
Online Learners
Taking online courses offers much convenience, but also requires a critical set of
skills, including self-direction, motivation, and time management. Unlike a face-to-face
course that meets at a specific place and time, an online student must take the initiative
to acquire course information, meet deadlines, and participate actively. We'll be
there when you need support, but balancing course work with other life obligations
is ultimately the responsibility of each student.
Have questions about whether online learning is right for you? Take the Open SUNY
Readiness Self-Assessment.
Blackboard is Stony Brook University's learning management system (LMS), which allows
instructors to supplement face-to-face classes, or launch online classes. Blackboard
includes a variety of features that allow instructors to do anything from uploading
course documents, to posting an announcement, to collecting and grading assignments.
For students, Blackboard offers an easy way to contact instructors, download and access
course documents, and check grades.
THE BASICS
Being a Successful Online Student
While online courses are convenient and flexible, they also requires a combination
of skills to succeed academically. Students must be self-motivated, disciplined and have strong time-management skills:
Tips for Successful Online Learning
Treat an online course like a real course, because it is a real course!
It is important to have the discipline to treat the online course as you would an
in-person course. While you can be flexible as to when you choose to complete your
work during the week, you can't put it off indefinitely.
Review updated syllabi for changes and information regarding transitioning to the
online environment. Make sure you have all of your course materials available. Ask
questions as needed.
Hold yourself accountable.
Continue working towards the academic goals you set at the beginning of the semester
and check in with yourself regularly.
If you prefer to study in groups, form a virtual study group on Google Meet (Google
Hangout) or Zoom.
Pay attention to emails from SBU as e-communication is very important at this time.
Focus on time management
Continue your routine - virtually : The perk of flexibility with online learning is
convenient but it can require more discipline to manage time accordingly. Just like
you did in person, create a weekly schedule that you follow, designating certain hours
each week to reading, watching lectures, completing assignments, studying and/or attending
online virtual office hours.
Time blocking : Allocate enough time for tasks. This might take practice and might
need to be adjusted from the time blocking you used when classes were held in-person.
Be realistic and allow for short breaks during your study sessions.
Weekly check-ins : While you adjust to online learning, reflect on how much time you
are dedicating to course readings, assignments, and practice problems to gauge whether
you are underestimating and overestimating the time it takes to complete tasks. Reach
out for help from TAs and professors in a timely manner if you find yourself struggling
with a topic or assignment.
Create a regular study space and eliminate distractions.
Routine workspace : Setting up a dedicated workspace/learning environment can make
it easier to establish a routine. Experiment to discover which type of setting boosts
your productivity. Wherever you choose, make sure there is consistent internet access
while participating in live lectures.
Organization : Knowing exactly where important dates, files, forms, syllabi, books,
and assignments live will help keep you on track.
Focused work time : When learning remotely, you can be faced with many distractions
that can easily derail your studies. Establish specific focused work time to limit
these distractions.
Regardless of when and where you choose to complete your studies, consider turning
your cell phone off to avoid losing focus every time a text message or app notification
pops up. If this is a struggle, consider downloading an app that will block these
alerts for a set period of time. (Ex: Cold Turkey and Freedom)
Actively participate and leverage your resources.
Participate in the course’s online forum to help you better understand course materials
and engage with peers.
If you sense yourself falling behind, speak up. Don’t wait until an assignment is
almost due to ask questions or report issues. Be proactive in asking for help.
Participate in course discussion boards on Blackboard.
Take advantage of virtual office hours.
Self Regulated Learning Lab - a tool that you can use to assess how you currently manage your time, you stay
motivated to keep learning & your current learning strategy. Complete the assessment
and discover additional ways to improve each skill.
Guide to Group Work - these resources can help inform you about the nature of group work, about what you should expect and the expectations
teachers have of you in group learning situations.
Most online courses use Brightspace, Stony Brook University's learning management system (LMS). Brightspace includes
a variety of features that allow instructors and students to do anything from uploading
course documents, to posting an announcement, to collecting and grading assignments.
Brightspace is available 24/7, from any computer with internet access.
Instructors of online courses frequently use Brightspace to:
Post online announcements
Post course content (ex: syllabi, videos, podcasts, handouts, presentations, etc.)
Technical Support is available for students M-F 7am - 12midnight, Sat 10am - 6pm,
Sun 10am - 9pm. Students can call 1-844-673-6786 or submit a ticket.
IT Orientation Guide
Division of Information Technology prepared the following guide, outlining the major
tools which students in Stony Brook are using, including Solar System, Wireless Network
WolfieNet, Academic Tools, such as Brightspace, etc. To access the guide, please go
to https://it.stonybrook.edu/students.
Blackboard is Stony Brook University's learning management system (LMS), which allows
instructors to supplement face-to-face classes, or launch online classes. Blackboard
includes a variety of features that allow instructors to do anything from uploading
course documents, to posting an announcement, to collecting and grading assignments.
For students, Blackboard offers an easy way to contact instructors, download and access
course documents, and check grades.
GET TO KNOW BRIGHTSPACE
Brightspace is the primary learning management system used in most programs at Stony
Brook. You'll use it to access course material, online lectures, discussion boards,
and interactive multimedia content.
Note: The appearance of your course's content in Brightspace may differ from the presentation
above based on your academic unit.